Growing Number Of Realtors Carry Firearms For Self-Defense

A new safety report released by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that firearms continue to increase in popularity as a safety measure in the profession.

The report shows that 19 percent of realtors (25 percent of men and 12 percent of women) carry a firearm for self-defense. A blog post at Gun Watch points out that 12 percent of realtors reported carrying a gun in 2015 (when the NAR first began reporting this information) and that 16 percent did so in 2016. The high-profile kidnapping and murder of real estate agent Beverly Carter in 2014 likely contributed to the profession’s heightened concern with self-defense.

We noticed that, comparing this year’s figures to the 2016 report, the higher use of firearms is matched by a dip in the percentage of realtors who reported carrying pepper spray or pocketknives for defensive purposes. This might indicate a growing recognition among real estate professionals that in a life-or-death situation, a firearm is the only thing you can really count on.

NRA’s Cox Takes On Washington Post Lies

Now NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox has responded to Milbank’s rant. “Law-abiding gun owners are tired of reading articles from elitist advocates for gun control,” Cox wrote in a letter to the Post editor. “Mr. Milbank’s column, about pro-sportsmen legislation, the Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act, was littered with inaccurate terminology to describe even the most basic firearms classifications. His contempt for hunters, National Rifle Association members and gun owners in general was made clear through his condescending tone.”

Cox concluded: “The SHARE Act is an important bill that would protect and expand the rights of hunters and sportsmen. Millions of Americans enjoy our hunting heritage, and the Post should treat them with respect, not condescension or condemnation.”

NRA Grant Pays For Rifles For Small Texas Police Department

The Burnet, Texas, Police Department has received its first-ever grant from The NRA Foundation, to the tune of $5,000. Those monies have gone toward the purchase of three scoped Colt Patrol rifles for Burnet officers.

Burnet Police Chief Paul Nelson noted that officers in the small, rural town typically carry patrol rifles with money out of their own pockets. “If we end up having a manhunt out in the country, these officers will be better equipped than the bad guy,” Nelson told DailyTrib. “If we have an active shooter in a business, they’ll go into that building with a rifle instead of a shotgun.”

Burnet County Friends of NRA Chairman Mark McDonald praised efforts that allowed the Friends chapter to offer seven grants in all, including the one to the Burnet Police Department. “We fund firearm training programs, safety programs,” he explained. “We do the law enforcement grants primarily for ammunition, firearms and equipment.”

Dog Walker Fatally Shoots Armed Robber

A man walking his dog in DeKalb County, Ga., late Wednesday night watched as two teens pulled up in an SUV, pulled a handgun and demanded his wallet. Instead, the armed dog walker pulled his own concealed firearm.

Police spokesperson Shiera Campbell summed up the scene for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “The suspects attempted to rob the victim with a handgun. The victim pulled his handgun and shot one of the suspects.” She added that as the second suspect fled, the victim called 911. When officers arrived, the wounded teen was still in the road and was then transported to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Officers used a K-9 unit to track the second suspect, but he remains at large.

DeKalb County Lt. Rob Bryant told WSB-TV that residents must stay alert when walking their dogs at night, adding, “If you have a permit, carry your gun.”